Aussies in NBA: Delly becomes our 6th NBA champ

Matthew Dellavedova has officially joined the ranks of Aussies to become NBA champions, after his Cleveland Cavaliers completed a stunning comeback to defeat the Golden State Warriors, 4-3.

Matthew Dellavedova is an NBA champion. J.R. Smith is an NBA champion.

— Bill Barnwell (@billbarnwell) June 20, 2016

In a tight, see-sawing affair, the Cavs outlasted the Warriors, 93-89, to collect their first ever NBA title, and give Cleveland its first title in a major sport in 52 years.

Dellavedova did not log a single minute in Game 7 -- his minutes and subsequent output dropped significantly in the Finals – but he became a crucial cog for the Cavs during the regular season, sporting career-highs in games played, points, 3-point percentage and assists.

Once again the NBA Championship team includes an Aussie! Congratulations Matthew Dellavedova & the Cavs!#NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/P4hfdrmIZf

— The Pick and Roll (@PickandRollAU) June 20, 2016

Delly made the headlines for all the wrong reasons earlier in the series when he made incidental contact with Andre Iguodala’s groin area, following an intentional foul to halt play. That led to more dirty player narratives and speculative chatter questioning his physical style.

Now with an NBA title under his belt -- the combative guard joins Luc Longley, Andrew Gaze, Patty Mills, Aron Baynes and Andrew Bogut as the only Aussies to experience the pinnacle of NBA competition – Delly has a headline that’s well worth celebrating.